Organisers of the Scottish Pipe Band Championships have welcomed news that West Dunbartonshire Council will continue to support it.

The future of the world-famous event in Levengrove Park became uncertain earlier this year after the council announced plans to stop funding it.

It was also expected that the Golf Pro-Am, annual fireworks displays in Clydebank and Dumbarton and Christmas light switch-ons in Alexandria and Dumbarton could fall victim to cuts after plans to stop funding all events in the area in a bid to save cash.

This would have saved the council £123,000 over two years from 2019 to 2021.

But last week the authority announced it would not be making the budget cuts they had anticipated.

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The championships, which sees bands travel from across the globe to compete, and is free for visitors, is organised by West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust Events Team, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, and the council, which stumps up £65,000 each year.

It has been held in Levengrove Park since 2002, set against the backdrop of Dumbarton Rock and Castle.

Each year it attracts around 100 world class bands from as far afield as Australia, Holland and Ireland and some years there have been as many as 25,000 spectators.

There are also Highland dancing competitions, a fun fair, children’s magic shows, balloon modelling, trader areas with confectionery, jewellery, clothing, toys and Scottish souvenirs and food and drinks including a beer tent.

John Hughes, chairman of the board of directors of the Scottish Pipe Band Association, explained that they have agreed a three-year contract to run the championships from this year.

He said: “We’re delighted to continue the relationship with West Dunbartonshire Council that we’ve had for over 20 years.

“The Scottish Pipe Band Championships is one of the biggest free events that’s on in that area, last year we had about 17,000 people visiting.

“We want to make sure we’re still delivering a quality event.”

He added: “From Dumbarton’s perspective this event brings a lot of commerce to the area such as hotel accommodation and in restaurants and bars.

“It brings a lot of revenue so the economic impact of the event is quite substantial I understand.”

The Championships take place on Saturday, July 27.